---
title: "On this day: Striking duo earn comfortable Liverpool win"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/on-this-day-striking-duo-earn-comfortable-liverpool-win/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Articles"
published: "2021-04-12T08:30:00Z"
modified: "2021-04-12T10:15:58Z"
---

# On this day: Striking duo earn comfortable Liverpool win

On this day (April 12) 2003, [Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/04/09/sky-pundit-backs-liverpool-to-make-top-four/) remembered the victims of the Hillsborough disaster as the Reds did the business at Anfield.

On what was a poignant day bathed in the early Spring sunshine, Gérard Houllier’s side claimed all three points with a [2-0 win](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2917303.stm) against a relegation-threatened Fulham.

Goals either side of half time from little and large duo, [Emile Heskey and Michael Owen](https://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/Game/2439) made sure of the victory as Vladimir Smicer claimed both assists.

A Liverpool side consisting of [such memorable names](https://www.premierleague.com/match/4371) as Didi Hamann, Djimi Traoré and Milan Baros moved into 6th position in the Premier League following the win, maintaining the push for a top-four finish.

It wasn’t to be, however, as back to back defeats in the final two fixtures left the Reds [stranded in 5th](https://www.premierleague.com/tables?co=1&se=11&ha=-1) in the table, just three points behind Chelsea.

Just over a year later, having broken through on Merseyside as a talented teenager, Owen left the club and [headed to Real Madrid](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/aug/10/newsstory.sport6) – before returning to England to play for Newcastle United, Stoke and most controversial of all, Manchester United.